NathanClarkeCommunication - Anatomy and function of the human ear

the structure of ears

Name	Structure	Function
Pinna		mnm
Ear canal	Tube leading from Pinna to Tympanic membrane	Channels sound waves towards the tympanic membrane. Provides a waxy substance to protect and lube the ear.
Tympanic membrane	Situated between the external ear and the middle ear.	Vibrate with the same frequency as the sound wave that hits it. Provides an air tight protection between the external and middle ear.
Ear ossicles	Consists of three main bones in the middle ear known as the malleus (hammer), the incus (Anuil), and stape (Stirrup).	Transfers the vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the middle of the ear to the oval window.
Oval window	Small, thin membrane situated between the middle and inner ear.	Receives the vibration from the tympanic membrane via the ossicles.
Round window	Situated just below the oval window.	Acts like a piston to transfer the vibration from the oval window to the fluid in the inner ear.
Cochlea	A long tube wound around itself that is filled with liquid (perilymph).	The fluid in the cochlea transfers the vibrations to the hairs in organ of corti
Organ of Corti	Situated inside the cochlea. Contains millions of receptors hair cells that are attached to nerves.	Hairs are tuned to certain wave frequency. When the wave pass over the hair an electric signal is triggered.
Auditory nerve	· A bundle of nerve fibers bound together.	Sends the electrical signals to the brain to be interpreted.
Eustachian tube	A long marrow tube that opens in middle ear which leads to the pharynx.	To equalise the pressure between the outer and inner ear.